Itinerary description
Circular Trek hut-to-hut in the Pyrenees. Trek in the Posets-Maladeta Natural Park, circumambulating and summiting the iconic Posets Peak(3,375m).
Day 1. Stage Valle de Estós car park – Refugio de Estós. 8,4 Km +610m/-40m
Description:
Early meeting in Benasque and transfer to the Estós Valley car park. We will begin the route along the GR 11 trail that will take us to the Estós reservoir. Then, we will continue to the Cabaña de Santa Ana, after which a detour will ascend towards the Batisielles, Escarpinosa and Perramó lakes, signposted as S3 within the natural park. Passing through boreal forests and meadows through the Ball de Estós, we will contemplate the Gorgues Galantes waterfalls. A path will take us to Cabaña d'el Tormo, and finally, we will reach the Estós mountain hut. Dinner and accommodation at the Estós mountain hut.
Day 2. Stage Refugio de Estós – Refugio de Viadós. 11,7 Km +765m/-930 m
Description:
Breakfast. In this stage, we will walk in two of the most symbolic valleys of the Aragonese Pyrenees, Estós and Chistau.
Leaving the forest behind, we will approach the Clarabide ravine, from where we will contemplate the Agujas de la Paúl. We will then reach the port of Chistau or Collada de Estós, where you can see a karst sinkhole or “forau”. We will continue crossing three ravines to Pleta de Añes Cruces and follow the river until we leave the margins of the Park, but with the Posets in our sight, until we reach the Viadós mountain hut. Dinner and overnight at Viadós mountain hut.
Day 3. Stage Refugio de Viadós – Refugio Ángel Orús. 11,3 Km +1180m/800m
Description:
Breakfast. We will return to the GR 11, ascending through pine forests through the Ribereta ravine. We will cross the Canal Las Tuertas and climb the forest's edge in an intense climb. The path softens, and we will reach the Tozal Blanco, from which we can get a magnificent panoramic view of the Ibón d'es Millars. The ascent continues between the Posets and Eriste massifs between the Chistau and Benasque valleys. We will descend to Llardaneta Lake and finally take the GR 11.2 detour towards the mountain hut. Dinner and accommodation at the Angel Orús mountain hut.
Day 4. Ascent to Posets Peak (3.375m). 9 Km +1275m/-1275m
Description:
Breakfast. The summit of Posets is the second-highest peak in the Pyrenean mountain range after Aneto. This very popular peak enjoys lovely views as it is the most isolated of the great Pyrenean mountains. Surrounding it: the Gran Bachimala, the Gourgs Blancs and the Perdiguero (to the N), and the Aneto and the Maladeta
We leave the refuge towards the Llardaneta ravine. We head towards Canal Fonda ravine after crossing it at about 2,550m altitude. We will enter the well-known Canal Fonda, which usually has snow well into the summer. We ascend about 400m along the wide Canal Fonda to reach the Collado del Diente de Llardana just below the impressive Diente de Llardana (3,094m). From here, we continue towards Espalda de Posets. After overcoming some slopes and highlights, we only need to follow the ridge that gives access to the top of Posets Peak or Tuca de Llardana. The views from the summit are magnificent. Large mountains surround Posets Peak, but simultaneously, it is a bit isolated. Around it, we can see Bachimala, Aneto, Perdiguero, Vignemale, Monte Perdido and many other mountains. We will return by the same path. Dinner and accommodation at the Angel Orús mountain hut.
Day 5. Stage Refugio Ángel Orús – Parking Valle de Estós. 14 Km +700m/-1500m
Description:
Breakfast. In the last stage, we will enjoy the beautiful lakes at the foot of Posets and the forests of the Estós Valley. We will head towards Estós, where the landscape will be dotted with lakes and needles, such as the Eriste and La Plana lakes, with views of the Posets and its snowfield. Next, we will see the Tartera de Perramón lakes and the needles of the Batisielles circus, to continue descending under the Perramó Needles. We will continue descending through the Batisielles lakes and along the S3 path that will take us to the bottom of the Estós Valley, passing by the Santa Ana cabin until we reach the Estós Valley car park. Now we go down to Benasque and the end of this amazing Circular Trekki to the Posets Peak.
